Singapore Marathon
The Singapore Marathon is an annual international marathon race which is held on the first Sunday of December in the city of Singapore. It is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race. It has grown significantly since its inaugural race in 1982 – the 2009 event attracted a total of 50,000 entrants for all competitions (including the ‘half’ and 10k) in 2009; the upper limit established by the organisers.[1]
There are four separate categories of competition: the full marathon, the half marathon, the 10 kilometres run, and the 10 km wheelchair race. Furthermore, 10 km team competitions as well as a number of short running competitions for children.[2]
Prize money for the full marathon race is divided into three categories: the open prize (for all competitors), the Singapore prize (open to national competitors), and the veteran prize (which acts as a masters competition). In the 2009 edition, a total prize pot of US$193,900 was available, with $35,000 going to both the men's and women's open race competition.[2]
Between 2004 and 2008, it was part of "The Greatest Race on Earth" series of road races, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank (the other three legs being the Hong Kong Marathon, Mumbai Marathon and Nairobi Marathon).[3][4]
The times recorded at the Singapore Marathon tend to be slower than those at other marathons as Singapore's climate is usually hot and humid.[1] Kenyans Luke Kibet and Salina Kosgei are the men's and women's course record holders, respectively. The 2006 edition also acted as the country's national championships, with Elangovan Ganesan and Vivian Tan Yoke Pin taking the honours.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Butcher, Pat (2009-11-19). Kibet returns to a hot reception in Singapore. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Race Information. Singapore Marathon (2009). Retrieved on 2009-11-19.
- ↑ The Greatest Race on Earth 2008–09. PACE Magazine. Retrieved on 2009-11-19.
- ↑ Post, Marty (2004-12-05). Tanui leads record breakthrough in steamy Singapore. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-19.